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US Rep. Vicente Gonzalez disagrees with decision to put troops on the border

As the days go on, more troops are in Starr County securing the border.

The National Guard remains in the Valley in response to President Trump's border security mandate.

Roma residents say they have not seen troops in their city, but our cameras were rolling as troops monitored the Rio Grande, waiting for any illegal activity that may be lurking.

"I think it's a good idea, it will help the immigration problem along with Border Patrol," said Felicita Leal, who has lived in Roma for years.

U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-McAllen) who represents the RGV in Washington says he doesn't think so.

"I don't like the idea that when we're at a 32-year low crime in our anchor city of McAllen, and we're at a 42-year low of illegal border crossings, that we have a president who has deployed troops to our southern border," said Gonzalez.

The congressman says there are better solutions to securing the border.

"What I believe that we should do and we should continue to work on is improve our Border Patrol hiring," Gonzalez continued. "We still have 4,000 slots that haven’t been filled because really of just a negligent process."

Gov. Greg Abbott is expected in the Valley Thursday to be briefed on border security and speak with the National Guard.